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Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Lectern vs. Podium: Definitions of Both


What is a lectern and what is a podium? Aren't they the same thing? And what in the world is a rostrum?

Podium Vs. Lectern:

The words podium and lectern are often used interchangeably so now their meaning is synonymous. It has not always been this way, according to GrammarErrors.com, a lectern is the stand where a speaker lays their notes while a podium is an elevated platform, coming from the Greek word meaning 'foot'. By those definitions a podium could have a lectern on it.

In addition to holding notes, presentations podiums and lecterns emphasize the speaker's face by hiding the body of the speaker, and projecting an image of authority for the speaker.

What is a Rostrum?

According to Answers.com, a rostrum is a "A dais, pulpit, or other elevated platform for public speaking." This word is often used in place of lectern and podium and does not necessarily involve an elevated platform like it used to. Click here to see an Amplivox Rostrum.

What is a Pulpit?

A pulpit is basically a podium used for religious services. Think of it as a church podium.

What is a Dais?

No, that is not Spanish for days (that's días), but a dais is a raised platform often used in lecture halls or sanctuaries, kind of a mini-stage.


One product that Amplivox is proud of is our Roving Rostrum Tabletop Lectern, which beats the competition in sound quality and professionalism. This speaker podium with audio is a great team player that is portable, powerful, and practical.

Amplivox has many types of lecterns and podiums to meet your every need. Whether it be a wood podium, presidential podium, an acrylic lectern, a computer multimedia podium, a sound lectern, a portable podium (wireless options available on most podiums), a table top lectern, or an adjustable height lectern (as pictured above), Amplivox has just the thing to fit your needs.

To talk about buying a podium or podium sales, call us toll free at (800)267-5486, email us, or check out Ampli.com!